Sri Lanka's players gather wearing anti-pollution masks after the dismissal of India's Ravichandran Ashwin. Photo / AP
Sri Lanka's players gather wearing anti-pollution masks after the dismissal of India's Ravichandran Ashwin. Photo / AP
Sri Lankan cricketers have been accused of being melodramatic after a pollution incident in their third test against India in Delhi.
The acting president of India's cricket board has reportedly questioned the extraordinary scenes that unfolded during after the tourist wore face masks to combat smog surrounding the ground.
CK Khanna has said he was unimpressed with Sri Lanka's actions, the Guardian reports.
"If 20,000 people in the stands did not have problems and the Indian team did not face any issue, I wonder why the Sri Lankan team made a big fuss?" Khanna said.
Play was held up on day two due to the pollution concerns as the umpires discussed the potential health concerns with both captains.
After a 20-minute break in the play, Sri Lankan fielders went back to their positions as play resumed in the second session of the third and final Test.
The Delhi Traffic Police listed the air quality as "very poor" prior to the days play getting underway.
"Air quality remained " Very Poor " in Delhi. Prominent pollutants PM 2.5 and PM 10 levels remained above the normal standards at most of the locations in the city.
Play between India vs Sri Lanka is currently halted due quality of air in Delhi. Can there be anything more shameful for India and Indian Government? People should refuse to be a part of their shame. pic.twitter.com/QWcLE8KAV8
Officiating umpire Nigel Llong, third from right, speaks to Sri Lanka's players, wearing anti-pollution masks, as the game was briefly stopped. Photo / AP
Despite the poor air quality conditions, Indian captain Virat Kohli stood tall yet again with the bat. Kohli smashed his second successive double hundred to power India to a commanding 5-500 at lunch.
The skipper's majestic 243 included 25 boundaries, while fellow overnight batsman Rohit Sharma rubbed salt in Sri Lanka's wounds with a fluent 65 before becoming Lakshan Sandakan's third victim when lunch was taken.
After scores of 104 not out and 213 in his previous two innings, Kohli, 29, becomes the first international captain to score six double centuries, all of which have come over the past 17 months.
The feat moves him past Brian Lara as the most double-centuries scored by a Test captain.
His latest looked a mere formality after India, chasing a record-equalling ninth consecutive Test series victory, resumed at 4-371 at Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium.
Kohli's partner in the 135-run stand Rohit smacked left-arm wrist-spinner Sandakan over long-off for a six but all eyes were on Kohli as he approached the 200-mark.
He was on 195 when a leg-before appeal against him was turned down. Sri Lanka reviewed the decision but replays confirmed an inside edge.
Kohli took two runs off Suranga Lakmal to bring up his double century, celebrating by leaping into the air.
A paramedic speaks to Sri Lanka's Lahiru Gamage after he complained of short of breath. Photo / AP
Kohli ultimately came undone when he was trapped lbw by Lakshan Sandakan with the captain declaring not long after on 7/536.
